by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo is out for the season. And so it goes, Kurt Vonnegut might say.

The Boston Celtics point guard has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the team announced Sunday. The Celtics went on to beat the Miami Heat in double overtime. And so it goes.

Rondo is one obvious loser in this ordeal. ACL reconstruction surgery is not fun, and it will take him months to even be able to jog again. But this kind of injury, an injury to the NBA's top passer and the star of a perrenial playoff team, has a trickle-down effect. Some gain, some stumble. And so it goes.

Here's a look at winners and losers from Sunday's bad news:

Winner: Avery Bradley

You never want to see a teammate go down, but the third-year Celtics guard has to view this as a big opportunity to prove his value with his extension year coming up. Bradley is small for a shooting guard, and his offensive production hasn't kept pace with his defensive prowess. But he may be the best fit to step in for Rondo in the short term, and he could earn himself a big contract if he proves to be a competent point guard.

Losers: Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge

Everything changes now for the Celtics' coach and team president. They built this team around Rondo, spurning Ray Allen and attempting to inject some youth into the roster. Rivers now must train one of Bradley, Leandro Barbosa or Jason Terry to play point guard, though all three play better off the ball. Meanwhile, Ainge carries the burden of deciding the future of the organization at midseason: He can keep a talented but suddenly unbalanced roster whole, find a new point guard to plug into Rondo's spot or tear the whole thing up and start fresh next season.

Winners: Philadelphia 76ers

No other team in the Eastern Conference realistically seems capable of catching the Celtics, unless they unload their stars. That may be fitting; it was a knee injury that helped torpedo the Sixers during the first half. Center Andrew Bynum has promised he will return this season to finally make his Sixers debut. If he does and his knees hold up, Philadelphia will have the post scorer it so desperately needs and the time to make a move for the Celtics' eighth playoff spot.

Losers: Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce

Garnett is 36, Pierce 35. The window is closing on the future Hall of Famers, though Pierce has shown great resilience and Garnett remains an efficient post player and team defender. They were the leaders in Sunday's win, Pierce posting a triple-double and Garnett team highs in points and rebounds. But Rondo was their ticket to contention and many easy baskets and, in theory, an outside shot at a second championship. Now their best hope for jewlery to accompany their 2008 rings would be a trade to the right contender. Garnett has a no-trade clause, and Pierce is a lifelong, super-popular Celtic. As they age, though, all things turn gray.

Winner: Jrue Holiday or Kyrie Irving

It's simple, really: One of these talented young point guards gets to start the All-Star Game now. Holiday already wins here with the 76ers, though, so we hope Cleveland Cavaliers star Irving gets the nod. As for filling Rondo's roster spot, the NBA should choose either Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez, the best non-All-Star in the NBA, or Pierce, in a nod to the Celtics.

Losers: Fans

Rondo is one of the most exciting players in the NBA, on and off the court. He leads the league with 11.1 assists a game, 1.4 more than No. 2 Chris Paul. He wears his heart on his sleeve and raises his game for the big moments, particularly the playoffs. Even other stars are sad to see him go. "Gotta give well wishes to Rondo. One of my fav players in the world. My prayers r with u lil bro. I'm here if u need me #respect," Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tweeted. Rondo posted consecutive triple-doubles in what will be the last games of his season. We'll get him back next year. And so it goes.